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GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) – Kristaps Porzingis is a one-of-a-kind player, a 7-foot-3 package strong enough to hit the paint but with a lot of speed and shooting to play on the perimeter.
This is great for the basketball court.
Not so much for the rehabilitation of a serious knee injury.
Porzingis said Monday that his size had required a slow recovery from a ripped left ACL and prevented himself or the New York Knicks from establishing a schedule for his return to action.
"We did things differently because there is no protocol for a 7-3 guy," Porzingis said. "There is no time for my body type, my height and all that, so we did things differently, we were very conservative and at the same time I was killed, so we're just going to have to keep going and keep going and then see when is the right time for me to come back. "
Porzingis was injured after a plunge in a February 6 loss to Milwaukee, just before playing his first all-star game. He is running and shooting but is not allowed to do anything serious enough to make a comeback at the start of the season.
"It has been more than 7 months since I started to get itchy and I want to be back on the court as soon as possible, but it will only happen 110% and I am medically allowed," said Porzingis.
"I'm hungry and want to get back on the court as soon as possible." @kporzee (@sapsports) pic.twitter.com/7DhKQePE5l
– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 24, 2018
There is no reason to rush. The Knicks are a young team unlikely to fight for a playoff spot, so they can prioritize the health of their franchisee, even if it means they have to sit all season long.
He has not ruled out, although he wants to play, and that would certainly help the Knicks to attract free agents next summer if Porzingis can return to the field and show his range of skills that Kevin Durant led – potentially one of these free players. agents – to call him a unicorn.
Porzingis spent most of his summer in Europe to be close to home in Latvia where he was visited by new Knicks coach David Fizdale. Porzingis, who played professionally in Spain before the Knicks won the # 4 pick in 2015, rehabilitated with Real Madrid, saying it was the best available facility. He said that he was happy with his recovery – even though doctors who have worked on similar injuries can not say exactly what it is.
"Yeah, but they did not do it on a 7-3 guy," said Porzingis, whose weight is 240 pounds. "So I think it's something new for everyone and as I've said, we're trying to be just conservative and do what's right without over-emphasizing it. . "
He said that all his energy was on his recovery, so he did not think much about the extension of the contract that he is allowed to sign before the season. It is unclear whether the Knicks even intend to offer one, as both parties believe it is better to wait until next summer.
In the meantime, he intends to be around his Knicks teammates as much as possible, even if he does not know where he will accompany them. But whenever it will be around will be an advantage.
"We know that he will not play at the beginning of the season, but at the same time, we know that he will always be there, giving us his point of view, giving us his ideas about what he will see on the ground. can help." the team throughout the course, "said swing player Tim Hardaway Jr." So until he comes back, we will hold back the strong. "
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